Dogs such as pit bull terriers are being touted for sale across the East Midlands despite being banned 16 years ago, according to a pet expert.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits the breeding, sale or exchange of four kinds of dog or ones "appearing" to be bred or used for fighting.

Since then, the sale of dogs like pit bulls has gone underground.

But Debbie Connolly, who lives on the Leics/Notts border said the breeders were now becoming much less secretive.

"What happened was that euphemistic names were invented that still meant 'pit bull'," she said.

"Terms like Irish Staff, American Staff and more recently Red Nose, Blue Nose, Black Nose are all names for dogs that we know as pit bull terriers."

She added that she had seen a significant number of banned types advertised for sale on the internet in the East Midlands "both under the euphemistic title and more alarmingly I've seen adverts for pit bulls and pit bull crosses wanted and for sale in the Midlands area."

Ms Connolly also called for stronger enforcement of the law.

The Dangerous Dogs Act bans the breeding and sale or exchange of pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, the Dogo Argentinos and the Fila Brasileiros. Cross-breeds of those dogs are covered by the law.